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OCT 2024
Bolinas Big Waves, Artistic Flair, and Beautiful Beaches Before the advent of the internet and online navigation, my hometown was a hidden gem — an enclave of farmers, surfers, and artists. I grew up on a dirt road in the small town of Bolinas in West Marin County, California. Bolinas was a sleepy coastal town with one gas station, one restaurant, one general store, one bar, and a lot of character. In honor of National Walk to School Day in October, I thought I’d explore where I spent my youth and paint a picture of the small coastal hamlet that helped shape my passions for a lifetime. CHILDHOOD PARADISE In Bolinas, as soon as you learned to ride a bike, you were effectively on your own. Parents presented their kids with autonomy and freedom from a young age, and as long as you could handle yourself on two wheels, you had free rein to visit your friends’ houses, pop over to school, and explore the outdoors unattended. I would ride my bike two miles to our K-8 school, which had just over 200 students (there were just 25 students in my graduating class). SURF AND TURF Bolinas Beach is well known for its beginner-friendly surf. About half of my friends adopted the beach board lifestyle. Not me, however. Neither of my parents were surfers, so I wasn’t introduced in the same way. Surely, if I had been, I wouldn’t be living in the Midwest now. A couple of my friends even made surfing their career — starting surf schools and surf shops. Even though I didn’t become a surfer, I grew up playing at the beach, in the waves, and in the sand. The beach still remains a place where I find great peace because of my childhood — whether it’s in my hometown or vacationing on the coast of Florida. While my buddies were waxing their boards, I took up golf, and it was not as if we had access to great golf courses growing up. But there was a cow pasture, which, as kids, was the next best thing. My best
friends and I would put down a golf ball and blast it as far as we possibly could. Afterward, we would spend a great deal of time sourcing them from the tall fescue. Rather than holes, we had general landmarks we would aim for, like the blue water trough cows would drink from, for one. Amazingly, my friends and I who golfed that pasture have stayed in touch and are getting together shortly for a golf trip of our own. ARTS AND EXPRESSION In Bolinas, it seemed everyone was an artist of some sort — or at least they valued their creative side greatly. Despite being a small town with a small school, Bolinas School had a comprehensive art program with a clay shop, jewelry shop, wood shop, and drawing and painting courses. The Bolinas school art program was one of many creative channels we had growing up. The combination of freedom we enjoyed on our bikes, the play we had in the ocean, and the encouragement we had to create, has given me the tools and permission I needed to think outside the box and create the Buchanan Law Group. While my law school classmates were anxious about their next career move, I was confident I would create my own path and build a premier law firm in Illinois. Now, I have the pleasure of taking my kids to Bolinas to visit their grandma, who lives in the same house I grew up in. We take walks to the beach and play hide-and-seek in the tall fescue, and everyone gets a little closer to their inner child.
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The Rise of Keyless Door Locks
Are They Worth the Investment?
Are you tired of constantly misplacing your keys or worrying about who can access your home? If so, consider switching to a keyless door lock system. These high-tech alternatives offer convenience and security but do have drawbacks. Before you make the change, let’s explore the pros and cons to help you decide if keyless locks are
This is especially helpful for household members with accessibility needs, who may find traditional keys difficult to manage. Keyless locks also make it easy to grant temporary access to trusted individuals, like dog walkers or housekeepers, without the hassle of making copies of physical keys. THE SECURITY CONUNDRUM While keyless locks offer an extra layer of security, they are not perfect. Tech-savvy criminals can hack them, and anyone can look over your shoulder to learn your code and gain unauthorized entry. If you forget the code or experience a power outage, you could be locked out of your home.
Choosing a high-quality, secure model and changing the code regularly is crucial to mitigate these risks. THE FINANCIAL CONSIDERATION Another factor to consider is cost. Keyless locks tend to be more expensive than traditional deadbolts, ranging from $150–$250. Homeowners on a tight budget may find the price tag a deterrent, though the long-term convenience and security benefits could make it a worthwhile investment. THE DESIGN DILEMMA Finally, it’s worth considering the aesthetic impact of keyless locks. Many models prioritize function over form, resulting in bulky, unattractive hardware that can detract from the overall look of your entryway. If you’re a design- conscious homeowner, you may need to research to find a keyless lock that seamlessly blends with your home’s style. The decision to install a keyless door lock system depends on your needs, budget, and priorities. Weigh the pros and cons carefully, and don’t hesitate to consult a professional locksmith to ensure you make the best choice for your home.
the right choice for your home. UNLOCK THE CONVENIENCE
One of the most appealing aspects of keyless locks is their convenience. No more frantically searching for your keys when your hands are full — with a simple code, fob, or biometric scan, you can effortlessly access your home.
Many think property division during a divorce mainly involves houses, cars, and bank accounts. They often forget that one of the most prominent assets we have is our debt, which is also divided among ex- spouses. Finances are often one of the most contentious aspects of a divorce, and debts can likewise cause difficult disagreements to sort through. Fortunately, with professional assistance, issues related to debt division can be solved equitably and positively. Here is what you need to know about marital debt in the state of Illinois. MARITAL VS. NON-MARITAL DEBT When it comes to which debts ex-spouses will split, timing is important. Debts that predate a marriage are considered non-marital debt and will remain with the spouse who accrued them. Additionally, student loan debt is often the responsibility of whoever’s education it counted toward. On the other hand, mortgages, car loans, and credit card debt, for example, that are accrued during a marriage, are the Financial Obligations The Basics of Splitting Marital Debt
also be divided up among ex-spouses, with each paying a different amount depending on the details of the agreement.
It is common for each spouse to own their own or multiple vehicles. Likewise, following a divorce, both spouses will likely retain ownership of their primary vehicle. If outstanding car loans exist, then it is often the responsibility of the primary owner to pay them, though refinancing may also be necessary to meet those obligations. HANDLING DEBTS One of the most common ways of handling marital debts is by paying them with the proceeds from the sale of marital property. For instance, the couple will sell a home, pay off the mortgage, and then divide the remaining proceeds. This is also true with cars and other marital property. Alternatively, debt can be shared following a divorce, though this may lead to difficulties if one spouse fails to meet their end of the deal. It is important to find an equitable solution to the debts you have both accrued throughout your marriage, and we are happy to help you through this difficult process.
responsibility of both parties. MORTGAGES AND CAR LOANS
Houses are typically purchased jointly among married couples and are often in both spouses’ names. Mortgages, then, are also a joint responsibility. However, if one spouse assumes full ownership of the property following the divorce, they are likely going to need to refinance the mortgage and make future payments. Mortgages can
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Spousal Support in Illinois What You Need to Know
Depending on your role, abilities, and financial status during your marriage, you may owe or be owed spousal support. Spousal support, also known as alimony or spousal maintenance, is a financial arrangement the court mandates, involving monthly payments from one ex-spouse to the other. When one partner earns significantly more than the other, whether owing to one party becoming a stay-at-home parent, being ill or disabled, or otherwise incapable of making the same
income, they are entitled to spousal support. However, you need to be aware of several factors when it comes to spousal support. HOW SPOUSAL SUPPORT IS CALCULATED In Illinois, the amount of spousal support owed is calculated depending on a number of elements related to your marriage. When making decisions related to spousal support, the court considers the age, health, and occupations of both parties; the duration of your marriage; and your ability to earn income in the future, among dozens of other factors. The disparity in income between the party paying spousal support and the party receiving spousal support also helps determine the amount expected to be paid every month. Depending on each party’s relative income, educational status, age, and occupation, the court may decide that no spousal support is needed. DURATION OF THE AGREEMENT Typically, the longer the marriage, the longer the duration of the spousal support agreement. For instance, if a marriage lasts less than five years, the duration of any spousal support agreement is likely to be quite short — usually around a year. However, if the marriage has lasted for 20 or more years, the spousal support agreement may be indefinite. Spousal support can be contentious, and professional legal support can help you achieve an outcome that suits your needs and circumstances.
TAKE A BREAK
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte Save money this October with this delicious homemade pumpkin spice latte that will taste better than any store- bought coffee.
Ingredients • 2 shots espresso (or 1/2 cup freshly brewed coffee)
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice • 1 tsp vanilla extract • Whipped cream for topping (optional)
• 1 cup milk of choice • 3 tbsp pumpkin purée • 1–2 tbsp maple syrup
Directions 1.
In a small pot on medium heat, heat milk until simmering but not boiling. 2. Make your espresso (or coffee) and pour into a large mug or Mason jar. Add pumpkin purée, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla and stir until well combined. 3. With a milk frother, froth the heated milk until foamy. Then, pour into your pumpkin espresso mixture and top with whipped cream. For decoration, you can sprinkle more cinnamon or pumpkin spice on top!
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161 N. Clark, Ste. 1700 Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 488-1938 rbbfirm.com
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IN THIS ISSUE
1.
The Sleepy Surf Town I Grew Up In
2.
Keyless Locks May Hold the Key
What Happens to Debt During Divorce?
3.
Guide to Spousal Support
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
4.
Paws of Hope
A Warrior’s Best Friend
How a Rescue Dog Changed a Veteran’s Life
When Marine William “Bill” Lins returned home from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, he felt ruined. He wasn’t the same man anymore and felt like he didn’t fit in anywhere. After sustaining multiple injuries and witnessing the horrors of battle, he never thought he would be able to go back to living a normal life. That is until the nonprofit K-9s For Warriors helped him find his missing link — a rescue dog appropriately named Link. K-9 For Warriors has been pairing highly trained service dogs with military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma since 2011. The free program strives to better the lives of veterans through special canine bonds and ultimately end veteran suicide, which claims the lives of roughly 20 veterans every day. When Bill returned from deployment, he had to recover from two surgeries and realized he had PTSD. He had developed severe alcoholism, drinking every day nonstop as his only coping mechanism. In a hopeless place, the Marine felt like he was losing every piece of his identity and had nothing left. After seeing a friend
at the VA bring in his service dog, he noticed a remarkable change in him and decided to apply for the program. Bill felt an instant connection to the goofy rescue dog Link, who was recovering from his own trauma after living a rough life in a kill shelter. Bill said his canine companion is his 24/7 therapist, providing him with support and safety at all hours. Link doesn’t just impact Bill’s life; he makes a difference with everyone he encounters, from Bill’s children to the youth athletes he coaches. “Together, we kind of make each other whole,” Bill said. “He makes everyone’s world better, and he makes it seem effortless.” Link has inspired Bill to help others and spread a message of awareness that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a symbol of strength. Bill has since earned his master’s in social work and provides mental health services with his tail-wagging companion by his side for every session. Together, the pair are showing veterans everywhere that there is hope and that life can get better with a little help from a four-legged friend.
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